Tape measure



Feb. 16, 1937.

J. BUTTIGIEG v I 2,071,225

TAPE MEASUBE Filed April 4, 1936 WITNESS ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PA NT) QFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to novelty tape measures and has for the primary object the provision of a simple, durable and inexpensive device of this character which will be useful in making measurements and will be amusing to view and operate which adds to its sales value 7 and will be easy and quick to operate, that is, to extend from its enclosure for making measure ments and to wind into said enclosure when desired, it being of the self-winding type when released or started from an extended or measuring position.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a tape measure constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating the same.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a means of securing a tape housing within a casing of the device.

Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form of my invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral I indicates a casing having in a wall thereof a D tape slot 2 through which may move a measuring tape 3. The casing I is open, as shown at 4, to permit locating within the casing a tape housing 5. The opening 4 is normally closed by a base plate 6 and surrounding the opening 4 is a flange I to which the base plate 6 is secured. The base plate will efiiciently support the casing when positioned on a table or like support or rest. The casing I may be of various designs, one of which is set forth in Figures 1 and 2 representing a clown, the tape slot 2 being located in the mouth of the clown and the tape protruding therefrom representing the tongue of the clown. The flange i, represents the cape or collar worn by the clown. Thus it will be seen that the casing will present an amusing appearance, consequently adding to sales value of the device.

The tape housing 5 has a slot aligning with the slot 2 and engaging the walls of said slots is a beading 1, a portion of which may be embedded in the material of the casing thereby anchoring the housing 5 in the casing. The beading has integral therewith a plate 8 embedded in the material of the casing and extending beyond opposite sides of the tape housing.

The housing 5 has a removable end wall 9 to which are secured bendable tongues II]. The tongues are adapted to extend through a slot II in the opposite side wall of the housing 5 from the removable side wall and are bent in engagement therewith. Journaled on the tongue is a drum I2 on which is'wound and secured thereto the tape 3. A clock type spring I3 is secured to the drum at one end and has its other end anchored by the tongue so that as the tape is drawn from the casing I the spring I3 is tensioned whereby on the release of the tape it will be wound onto the drum, leaving an end of the tape exposed exteriorly of the casing. This end representing the tongue of the clown is slightly enlarged to prevent its movement through the slot 2 of the casing.

The removable wall 9 has a slot I4 and also has pivoted thereto a dog I5 which projects through the slot to engage any one of a number of openings I6 formed in a wall of the drum. The dog when engaging in the opening I6 will secure the drum against rotation on the influence of the spring and consequently permit the tape to remain in the extended position for the purpose of making measurements. The dog I5 being pivotally mounted will move out of the opening I6 when the casing is tilted to one side and when tilted in an opposite direction will move into engagement with the drum to enter the opening I6 when in alignment therewith.

As shown in Figure 5, an outer casing II performing the same function as the casing I may be in the shape of an egg and composed of detachable sections. The tape used in connection with this form of my invention has secured to its free end a finger piece I8 which may be of any suitable design to harmonize with the design of the casing II.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A measuring tape comprising a casing having a slot, a housing located in said casing and having a slot aligning with the first-named slot,.

2. beading engaging the walls of the secondnamed slot and embedded in the casing to anchor the housing in the casing, said housing including a removable wall and a fixed wall having a slot, bendable tongues formed on the removable wall and extending through the slot of the fixed wall and bent in engagement therewith, a drum journaled on said tongues, a measuring tape wound on and secured at one end to the drum and its other end extending through the slots of the casing and housing and having its free end enlarged, and a holding dog for the drum.

2. A measuring tape comprising a casing having a slot, 2, housing located in said casing and having a slot aligning with the first-named slot, a beading engaging the walls of the secondnamed slot and embedded in the casing to anchor the housing in the casing, said housing including a removable wall and a fixed wall having a slot, bendable tongues formed on the removable wall and extending through the slot of the fixed wall and bent in engagement therewith, a drum journaled on said tongues, a measuring tape Wound on and secured at one end to the drum and its other end extending through the slots of the housing and casing and having its free end enlarged, said removable wall having a slot, said drum having openings, and a dog pivoted to the removable wall and extending through the lastnamed slot to engage in any one of the openings. 10

JOHN BU'I'IIGIEG. 

